To: alt.philosophy.taoism,alt.magick.tyagi
Subject: alt.philosophy.taoism FAQ
From:  i@no.self (!)
Reply-To:  tyagi@houseofkaos.abyss.com 

	DRAFT -- SEND COMMENTS/CRITIQUES/REVIEWS TO: poster

			      CONTENTS

	        Purpose
 
		A theory
		  1 what is 'taoism'?
		  2 is taoism religion?/philosophy?/mysticism?
		  3 isn't this 'non-action' stuff just quietism?

		B history
		  1 is taoism just in China or what?
		  2 what are the scriptures of taoism?

		C info
		  1 did you like _The Tao of Pooh_?  is it taoism?
		  2 where can I get information about taoism?

	B REF: Bibliography

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	FAQ

	 Purpose  to dissuade the same basic issues from arising repeatedly
		  (archived for public usage, free with this copyright)

	 A theory
	  1 what is 'taoism'?
		  system attributed to Lao Tzu ('Old Master') over a
		  great deal of time in China.  'tao' often translated
		  'way' approximates a kind of 'current' or 'flow' of
		  the cosmos, a natural rhythm

	   2 is taoism religion?/philosophy?/mysticism?
		  difficult to separate into divisions like this due
		  to the nature of Chinese culture.  'taoism' could
		  be described as philosophy, religion, mysticism,
		  magic, psychology, spirituality and superstition,
		  all depending on who is attempting description and
		  what they are describing which goes by the name of
		  'taoism'

	    3 isn't this 'non-action' stuff just quietism?
		  the Chinese is 'wu-wei' and it usually translates
		  better as 'effortless-action'.  this is different
		  than quietism in that animation occurs, but there
		  is no struggle

	 B history
	     1 is taoism just in China or what?
	          there is some degree of controversy over the
		  origin and substance of taoism.  exported as
		  academic translations, _Tao Teh Ching_ has
		  inspired people outside China to take on the
		  identifier and in some cases write books on
		  the subject (usually from the standpoint of
		  a philosophical and/or mystical system).  the
		  authority of social lineages not deriving from
		  China is more often questioned, opinions varying

	      2 what are the scriptures of taoism?
		  philosophical/mystical

		     _Tao Teh Ching_; 
			_Classic of Tao and Teh_, by Lao Tzu_
			(sometimes simply referred to as 'Lao Tzu')

		     _Chuang Tzu_, or various titles, by same,
			often divided up into 'Inner' and 'Outer'
			chapters, the former considered to be of
			more reliable authenticity
			
		      _Lieh Tzu_, a work given the name of the
		         reputed author; philosophic in character

		  mystical (alchemical)
		      _The Secret of the Golden Flower_ (more??)
		      _Pao P'o Tzu_ (sp?), attributed to the
		      	famous Chinese alchemist Ko Hung (?)

		  religious
		      _Taoist Canon_, large, various authors
		         [more?? there are several others which I could
			  dig up of taoist religious persuasion,
			  attributed to Chang Tao Ling or others !] 

	 C info
	      1 did you like _The Tao of Pooh_?  is it taoism?
		  it is a wonderful comparison of Western
		  children's literature and the philosophy
		  of taoism as the author (B. Hoff) interprets
		  it.  there is a variety of response to his
		  interpretation and style.  it is not central
		  to taoism per se, but constitutes an important
		  Western, popular introduction to the philosophy

	       2 where can I get information about taoism?
		  [I didn't see this anywhere; I created a REF
		   and LINKs section once upon a time; I hope
		   this hasn't been lost; I'd make more and/or
		   revise if necessary !]
		
	   
	REF: Bibliography
		[you've got this somewhere I suppose !]

	CREDITS (contributors)
		foureyes@earthlink.net (Douglas M. Case)
EOF